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Proline accumulation represents one of mechanisms used by plants to prevent the adverse consequences of water stress. The effects of increased proline levels in response to drought differ among species. Trees are exposed to the long-term effects of climate change. The reproductive success of species in a specific environment depends on the functional trait of tree seeds. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of drought stress on the proline concentrations in seedling leaf tissues of woody plant species and their relationships to drought duration, seed mass, seed category and coniferous/deciduous classification. Drought duration exhibited a nonlinear effect on proline accumulations. The drought effect on proline accumulations is greater for deciduous than for coniferous species and is higher for orthodox seed species than for recalcitrant. The seedlings of large-seeded species showed greater effect sizes than those of small-seeded species. Our results suggest that there is an optimum level at which proline accumulations under the influence of drought are the highest. A link between seed functional traits, as well as the coniferous/deciduous classification, and proline concentrations in tree seedlings during water stress were determined for the first time. Proline may help to identify high-quality seeds of trees used for reforestation.

Choosing an appropriate nest site is essential for successful breeding. Changes in land use cause populations of many species to decline although some species adapt to anthropogenic changes. The white stork Ciconia ciconia commonly uses artificial nest sites. Recently, white storks from Western Europe have been using landfills as feeding sites; the beginnings of this process are being observed in Central-Eastern Europe. The study aimed to determine factors influencing the probability of nest occupation and breeding effect in a Central-Eastern European population of white storks. We used long-term data from Western Poland on breeding effect, nest occupation, the structure supporting the nest, the proximity of the nearest landfills, landfill area, and land cover. The probability of nest occupation was significantly dependent on habitat quality (based on the share of the preferred type of land cover), the structure supporting the nest, and landfill proximity within a specific year. The breeding effect was influenced by habitat quality and nesting structure. We demonstrate that the type of nesting structure is an important factor influencing both the probability of nest reoccupation and breeding effect. However, the significance of landfills appears to be growing, and in recent years, storks prefer occupying nests closer to landfills, which may have significant consequences for the population of the white stork.

Climate change significantly influences the distribution of parasitic species, posing threats to ecosystems and economies. This study examines the potential range expansion of Loranthus europaeus , a parasitic plant impacting European forestry. We assessed the impact of predicted climate change for 2041–2060 and 2061–2080 using MaxEnt modeling based on current occurrence data of L. europaeus , and the main host plant genus oak Quercus , as well as bioclimatic variables. Our model demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.92). The most important variables for Europe range were range of Quercus genus. Key environmental factors included isothermality (bio3) and mean temperature of wettest quarter (bio8). Under SSP126 and SSP245 scenarios, our results predict significant range expansions into northern and eastern Europe, with increases of 43.5% and 53.9% by 2041–2060. Conversely, southern Europe may see contractions of 16.4–20.6%. Projections for 2061–2080 indicate further expansions up to 65.8% in northern Europe, alongside contractions up to 29.8% in southern regions, including Turkey and Greece.These shifts highlight the influence of climate change on L. europaeus distribution and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate potential ecological and economic impacts.

Food wastes are among the factors with the greatest effects on animal populations. The white stork is among bird species that clearly profit from feeding at landfills, at least in Western Europe and North Africa. However, the rate and the consequences of this feeding are still unknown in the Central-Eastern European population, which differs from the western population not only in terms of migration routes but also in the greater availability of suitable natural breeding habitats due to less intensified agriculture. The aim of the study was to describe the use of landfills and its consequences in terms of probability of nest occupation and breeding effects in different regions of Poland. Although the most important factors influencing nest-site selection and breeding effect are still habitat quality and weather conditions, distance to landfills is important in selection of nest sites. White storks use landfills most intensively late in the breeding season, independently of the density of breeding pairs. The results suggest that the use of landfills is not currently essential in the Central-Eastern European population of the white stork, does not affect breeding effect, and may be more frequent in non-breeders. However, this phenomenon is still developing and requires continuous monitoring.

Soil properties influence various aspects of plant growth, development and reproduction. Despite the importance of the gametophytic phase in the plant life cycle, its response to soil factors remains poorly understood, particularly in wild plants. This study showed intraspecific variability of pollen morphology in Staphylea pinnata L., with its response to physicochemical soil properties examined under natural conditions in forest ecosystems. Staphylea pinnata is a locally rare species in Central Europe and is considered to be a shrub that prefers carbonate soils. The pollen of S. pinnata was sampled from 55 natural sites at the northern edge of its geographical range. Eleven morphological features in a total of 1620 pollen grains were analysed in relation to 15 soil parameters. The main objective was to establish a link between the habitat conditions, particularly contents of selected elements in the soil, and pollen grain morphology. Our results indicate a potential influence of Cu, Zn, and CaCO₃ on pollen morphology in S. pinnata . The interaction between pollen morphology and these three nutrients was manifested in pollen size, shape, and exine thickness. We show that in the wild, exine thickness (Ex) is positively correlated with CaCO₃ content. In addition, the length of the polar axis (P) and equatorial diameter (E) are correlated with Cu, while the P/E ratio - with Zn contents, respectively. Our results suggest that these ions play an important role in the formation of pollen grains. There is a lack of research linking the morphological features of pollen grains with such environmental parameters as nutrient contents. This study provides evidence for the role of soil micronutrients in shaping pollen morphology. This is the first comprehensive analysis linking wild soil chemistry and natural pollen variation in a rare European species. Further research should focus on the relationship between the mineral contents in the soil, contents of individual elements in pollen grains, pollen viability, as well as selected plant physiological parameters, such as photosynthetic activity. This will provide insight into the role of each element and the physiological state of the plant in the formation of mature pollen grains under natural conditions.

Human’s activities dominates many aspects of the Earth’s environment; thus animals are forced to adapt and respond to the resulting changes in habitat structure and functioning due to anthropogenic pressure. Along with the growing human population and the associated amount of waste produced, the amount of different type of physical contamination component in environment is increasing. Incorporation of debris in nests may be a mounting avian response to anthropogenic pollution. In this research, we quantified the constituent pieces and total mass of human-derived materials incorporated in white stork nests. The study was conducted on four locations in central Spain where white storks nest along a urbanization gradient. In total, we examined 49 nests. This study demonstrates that the incorporation of debris by white storks into their nests is related to human activity, measured by the Human Footprint Index (HFI). Moreover, the distance between these nests and landfills predicts the occurrence of debris incorporated into nests. Our study shows that birds nest building behaviour is impacted by human activities and pollution in environment.

Background Habitat selection plays a crucial role in avian reproductive success, with nest-site characteristics and individual traits influencing breeding outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between breeder’s age and nest-site selection in a population of white storks Ciconia ciconia , a long-lived, site-faithful species nesting solitarily in Western Poland. Using data collected from 2006 to 2024 on ring recoveries, nest dimensions, productivity, and habitat characteristics, we analyzed the age at which birds were first recorded on specific nests. Results Results revealed that older individuals were more likely to occupy larger nests and nests with higher productivity in previous years, suggesting the use of public information and a preference for high-quality sites. Interestingly, nest surface area, rather than height, was correlated with breeder’s age, while land cover surrounding the nest had a sex-specific effect. Older individuals also appeared to prefer nests with higher occupancy rates. Older females avoided human-altered habitats, whereas no such relationship was observed for males. Contrary to expectations, age-related differences were not associated with preferred foraging habitats like meadows and pastures. Conclusions These findings highlight that age-based segregation in nest-site selection reflects experience and competition, with older birds optimizing breeding success by leveraging key environmental and social cues. The results suggest that younger individuals may occupy suboptimal habitats, possibly due to competition or inexperience. Future studies should explore the role of site fidelity, age-assortative mating, and anthropogenic influences, such as supplementary feeding, to fully understand the dynamics of nest-site selection in white storks.

The availability and appropriateness of nesting sites significantly influence the reproductive success and overall welfare of wild bees. Human‐induced factors contribute to the destruction of natural nesting habitats. To address these limitations, innovative solutions such as the development of artificial nests, offer alternative nest sites to support wild bee populations. We designed the Osmia3DNest, a 3D printed standardized nest tube for solitary cavity‐nesting bees, aiming to provide a safe for the environment, long‐life, time‐saving and biodegradable product that anyone can print. We proudly present the two Osmia3DNest models for mason bees—closed and open—using polylactic acid filament. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Osmia3DNest on mason bee reproduction parameters compared with traditional reed nests. Osmia3DNest can be an alternative to the other artificial nests, which people can customize for their necessity depending on their place of living (rural or urban area), and they can also be washed and reused several times and then decomposed. Osmia3DNest holds potential for wildlife biologists, management of pollinators, and educational outreach, offering adaptability for different bee species and experimental needs. Abstrakt Dostępność miejsc lęgowych oraz ich odpowiednie rozmiary znacząco wpływają na sukces reprodukcyjny i ogólny dobrostan dzikich pszczół. Czynniki wywołane działalnością człowieka takie jak urbanizacja czy fragmentacja siedlisk, przyczyniają się do niszczenia naturalnych siedlisk lęgowych. Aby opanować te zagrożenia, potrzebne są innowacyjne rozwiązania, na co wskazują najnowsze badania naukowe, takie jak tworzenie alternatywnych sztucznych gniazd w celu utrzymania populacji dzikich pszczół. Zaprojektowaliśmy gniazdo Osmia3DNest, wystandaryzowaną rurkę wydrukowaną na drukarce 3D, dla pszczół samotniczych w celu zapewnienia bezpiecznego dla środowiska, długotrwałego, biodegradowalnego produktu, który każdy może wydrukować oszczędzając przy tym czas. Prezentujemy dwa modele Osmia3DNest dla pszczół murarek—zamknięte i otwarte—wykonane z filamentu PLA. Wykazaliśmy skuteczność rurek Osmia3DNest w uzyskanych parametrach rozrodu murarek, porównując je z tradycyjnymi gniazdami trzcinowymi. Gniazdo Osmia3DNest stanowi alternatywę dla innych sztucznych gniazd, które każdy będzie mógł dostosować do swoich potrzeb w zależności m.in. od miejsca zamieszkania (wieś lub miasto), dodatkowo są wielokrotnego użytku, a z czasem ulegną rozkładowi. Model ten może potencjalnie być wykorzystywany przez biologów zajmujących się dziką przyrodą, hodowców komercyjnych oraz w celach edukacyjnych. Oferuje on możliwość dostosowania rozmiarów do różnych gatunków pszczół, a także na potrzeby eksperymentalne.

Plants are used by many bird species as structural elements and as lining materials for nests. In building their nests, birds not only use plant stems, but also transport seeds attached to them. This may lead to dispersal of seeds from the parental population into heterogenic environments. In this study, we investigate the role of nests of the white stork as potential microsites for the establishment and growth of seeds contained in nest materials. From 27 white stork nests, we collected 313 specimens from 23 plant species. Numbers of individual specimens and values of plant species richness were significantly lower in nests occupied by storks than in unoccupied nests. The abandonment of nests promotes the succession of some plant species from seed banks contained in the nests, involving plant species different from those cultivated from the nest seed bank. It should be noted here that the specific physical environments of nests constitute the main factor in the development of a pool of specialised plant species in the nests, with the prevalence of ruderal species. These plants usually derive from local ruderal vegetation, which is abundant in agricultural landscapes. Our study showed that large birds created a microhabitat in their nests which was favourable to nest-mediated seed dispersal, as was the incidental accumulation of plant species as a seed bank in the nest. We show that seeds contained in the nests of large birds may germinate and grow, and that eventually fully-grown plants can produce seeds, especially barochorous plant species.